Ballina Bridges Duplication

  • Project typeBridge
  • Project schedule2024 to 2027
  • Contractor nameQuickway

The Ballina Bridges Duplication project will deliver an extra bridge on each road between Ballina and the M1 motorway, easing congestion, improving traffic flow, and providing safe and reliable travel for residents, businesses, workers and visitors.

1. Tamarind Drive to Ballina Fair.jpg

Fishery Creek Bridge (on River Street) and Canal Bridge (on Tamarind Drive) will be duplicated. The new bridges and their adjacent roads will be higher and wider than the current network, providing the community with improved evacuation routes during extreme weather events.

There will be 4-lanes crossing each waterway, doubling the traffic capacity on each arterial route. Other key features include a new footbridge on the southern side of the existing Canal Bridge, new 3-metre-wide shared paths on each bridge that will connect to the existing pedestrian and cycleway links, additional footpaths, upgrades to stormwater and drainage, and relocating power lines underground.

The Ballina Bridges Duplication project will improve network capacity and reliability by duplicating key bridges and upgrading critical evacuation routes. 

Image: Image: artist impression of Canal Bridge on Tamarind Drive

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Canal Bridge on Tamarind Drive map

The below map shows what this project will deliver for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and other active transport users.

Tamarind Drive Map.jpeg

Fishery Creek Bridge on River Street

The below map shows what this project will deliver for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and other active transport users.

River St Map.jpeg

 

Key features of the bridges duplication project

 Key features

A duplicate bridge will be built on the southern side of Fishery Creek Bridge to create 4-lane access to and from Ballina Island.

  • The duplicate bridge will be nearly 1-metre higher, and double vehicle capacity across Fishery Creek from 2-lanes to 4-lanes.
  • The new bridge will have a 3-metre wide shared path that connects to the existing active transport network.
 

A duplicate bridge will be built on the northern side of Canal Bridge to create 4-lane access to and from Ballina Island.

  • The duplicate bridge will be approximately 1.2 metres higher, and double vehicle capacity across North Creek Canal from 2-lanes to 4-lanes.
  • The new bridge will have a 3-metre wide shared path that connects to the existing active transport network.
  • The existing bridge will have a new 2.5-metre wide footbridge built on the southern side of it.
 

Improved pedestrian and cycleway links across the waterways.

  • Approximately 1,200 metres of additional 3-metre wide shared paths to cater for active transport users and cyclist across the waterways.
 Roads on either side of each bridge will be raised and widened to 4-lanes, to match the 4-lane bridges.
 Approximately 300 metres of new and/or upgraded footpaths throughout the project.
 Greater travel time reliability, particularly during morning and afternoon peak hours.
 Better and more reliable evacuation routes during floods, bushfires and other natural disasters.
 Stormwater, water and recycled water services upgraded.

 

What to expect during construction

Fishery Creek Bridge

  • Fishery Creek Bridge will remain open for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists across the waterway.
  • Vehicles will continue to travel in 1-lane in each direction.
  • Traffic control will be used during construction. At times traffic will be reduced to 1-lane (contraflow) during off peak periods.
  • The waterway will remain open to watercraft.

Canal Bridge

  • Canal Bridge will remain open for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists across the waterway.
  • Vehicles will continue to travel in one lane in each direction.
  • Traffic control will be used during construction. At times traffic will be reduced to 1-lane (contraflow) during off peak periods.
  • The waterway will remain open to watercraft.

Footpaths and pedestrian access

  • Pedestrian and cyclist connectivity to be maintained across the waterways.
  • During construction pedestrian access will be maintained across the waterways, however at times there will be temporary pedestrian detours around construction zones.

Fishery Creek boat ramp, carpark and waterway

  • The waterway and boat ramp will remain open.
  • The existing carpark next to Boatharbour Road will be closed during construction.
  • A temporary carpark will be built further south off Boatharbour Road and will provide access to the boat ramp.

Access to local businesses

  • Customer and delivery access for businesses will be maintained where possible.
  • If temporary changes are required, businesses will be consulted to discuss alternative access points to minimise disruption.

Utility upgrades and outages

  • Underground utilities works will occur at both sites.
  • Businesses and residents may experience planned power and water outages during construction.
  • Council and Essential Energy will notify businesses and residents before planned outages occur.

Dust

Dust may be present during construction. Water carts will be used to minimise and suppress dust.

Noise

  • There will be noise during construction. Most work will occur during the day to minimise disruption.
  • Where night works are required for safety reasons, impacted residents, businesses and visitors will be advised in advance.

Bus shelters

  • Some bus stops may need to be temporarily relocated to the nearest available ‘clear zone’.

Car parking

There will be limited street parking in and around the project sites.

Learn more

Explore the FAQs, access key documents and resources and view the stages of the project.

FAQs and resources

Location

River Street,  2478  View Map

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